Buddhist Holidays Unit 2: Religions that Originate in South Asia
Buddhist Holidays Unit 2: Religions that Originate in South Asia
New Year • In Theravada Buddhist countries, the New
Year is celebrated in April • Lasts for 3 days with many carnival-like
celebrations • There is an emphasis on washing,
cleaning, and preparing for the new year • On the last day, worshippers visit Buddhist
temples and make offerings
New Year
Buddha’s Birthday • Celebrated on April 8th in China and Japan • Celebrated on the last full moon in May in
Southeast Asia • Japan – celebrates with a flower festival • Other Buddhist regions – will ceremoniously
wash the statue of the infant Buddha with fragrant water made with flower petals
• People celebrate with parades and fireworks • Children dress up as the little Buddha
Buddha’s Birthday
The Festival of Souls (Ullambana) • During July (Japan) or August (China)
Buddhists believe that “purgatory” is opened up and the souls of the dead are allowed to wander the world.
• Families leave gifts of food for these wandering spirits.
• Rituals are performed by priests to provide comfort and release from purgatory to the souls of the dead.
The Festival of Souls
The Robe Offering • In November, Theravada Buddhists celebrate the sending
out of the first missionaries by the Mauryan (India) Emperor Ashoka
• New yellow robes are offered to the monks of the region. • Feasts are made and robes are placed on a “wishing
tree” • Ends with the making of the mahakathina (or great robe)
– a robe is made completely in one night • Commemorates the day the Buddha’s first robe was
made in one night.
The Robe Offering
Buddha Statues Unit 2: Religions that Originate in South Asia
Protection Buddha
Meditation Buddha
Earth Touching Buddha
The Reclining (or Nirvana) Buddha
The Medicine Buddha
Teaching (or Dharmachakra) Buddha
Walking Buddha
Contemplation Buddha
Begging Buddha
Repelling the Ocean Buddha
Leg Positions
Hand Gestures of Buddha Statues
Abaya
Dhyana
Namaskara
Bhumisparsa
Varada
Karana
Vajrapradama
Vitarka
Dharmachakra
Uttarabodhi